Joint fitting

ABSTRACT

Hinge fitting for swivelable elements like for example arm rests, head portions of furniture for sitting or lying, and the like, comprising a swivel element which has a bore for receiving a hinge pin, and a holding element with a circular recess, in which a clamping disc on the hinge pin is rotatably arranged, wherein the clamping disc allows a rotational movement in a rotation direction relative to the holding element and blocks a rotational movement in the opposite direction, and wherein on the side of the swivel element there is provided at least a spring element, which presses the swivel element in axial direction of the hinge pin against the clamping disc.

The invention relates to a continuously displaceable hinge fitting which can be used, for example, for swivelable arm rests and head portions of furniture for sitting and/or lying, but can also be used for other purposes like swivelable covers of containers and the like.

EP 2 526 828 B1 describes such a hinge fitting in which, on the circumference of a bore, at least a spring-impinged clamping element is arranged in the one bracket, which allows a rotational movement of the other bracket relative to a joint pin in the one rotational direction and blocks it in the opposite direction. For this, an entrain-ment element is provided which releases the engagement of the clamping element with the circumference of the joint pin and fixedly clamps the clamping element at the entrainment element.

Altogether, this construction requires a certain effort for the production and mounting of the hinge fitting.

It is the object of the invention to simplify a hinge fitting of this kind without any adverse effects occurring during the use of the hinge fitting.

This object is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. By means of this construction, there results a minimum number of individual elements, wherein the individual elements are simple to manufacture and allow a compact structure.

The hinge fitting has a swivel element which is provided with a bore for receiving a hinge pin, and a holding element which is provided with a circular recess in which a clamping disc on the hinge pin is rotatably arranged. For guiding the holding mem-ber, the outer circumference of the clamping disc abuts advantageously at the inner circumference of this recess and can slide on the inner circumference; however, a radial gap can also be provided between outer circumference of the clamping disc and inner circumference of the recess, especially when a different type of clamping disc is provided which allows a rotational movement in a direction relative to the holding element and blocks the rotational movement in the opposite direction.

On the outer circumference of the clamping disc there can be arranged wedge-shaped recesses in which in each case a clamping element, preferably a disc-shaped clamping element, is arranged, which can engage with the inner circumference of the recess by means of friction.

According to a preferred embodiment, on the spring-impinged side of the clamping disc there is arranged a sliding disc on which the swivel element, or a cover element acted on by a spring element in axial direction of the hinge pin, can slide when the clamping disc is blocked by the clamping element.

Preferably at least a plate spring is provided on at least a side of the swivel element and exerts pressure on the swivel element in axial direction of the hinge pin.

Instead of a plate spring, a different spring element can also be provided for the exertion of pressure.

The clamping disc can consist of a material able to slide. Also, according to its intended use, a disc made of soft metal like copper can be provided.

The clamping elements in the recesses of the clamping disc are preferably formed as cylindrical clamping pins; however, they can also have a different form depending on the configuration of the clamping engagement.

It can be advantageous to provide damping elements in the wedge-shaped recesses of the clamping disc like, for example, rubber elements which support the clamping elements in relation to the clamping disc.

On the circumference of the holding element in the area of the hinge pin, along the circumference there can be formed a recess predetermining the swivel area of the hinge fitting, in which recess a protrusion engages which is mounted at the swivel element, wherein the abutting of the protrusion at the ends of the recess predetermines the swivel area.

This protrusion predetermining the swivel area can also be formed at a spacer plate which is arranged between two swivel brackets.

The protrusion can also be formed by means of a pin which protrudes parallel to the hinge pin, is mounted at the holding element and engages in a circumferential recess at the swivel element.

The hinge pin advantageously has an enlarged diameter at both ends for supporting the plate springs or other spring elements. There can also be provided threaded nuts at threaded ends of the hinge pin.

According to a further embodiment, especially the holding element can be joined to another component part, by means of which the fitting is fixed for example at the backrest of an automobile, when the hinge fitting is used for swiveling a neck support at an automobile.

Holding element and swivel element can have different designs according to the type of fixing of the hinge fitting.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in detail with reference to the drawing, in which

FIG. 1 shows a view of the hinge fitting in two positions,

FIG. 2 shows a swivel bracket in a top view,

FIG. 3 shows a holding bracket,

FIG. 4 shows a spacer plate,

FIG. 5 shows a hinge rivet in a lateral view,

FIG. 6 shows a clamping disc having tooth-shaped protrusions on the circumference,

FIG. 7 shows a cross section through the hinge fitting in the position in FIG. 1 b,

FIG. 8 shows a view of the hinge fitting with shortened holding- and swivel-bracket,

FIG. 9 shows schematically the component parts of the hinge fitting according to FIG. 8 in a front view,

FIG. 10 shows a lateral view of the hinge fitting in two positions in the arrangement for swiveling a head support in an automobile, and

FIG. 11 shows a further type of holding of the holding element of the hinge fitting.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the hinge fitting in two end positions, wherein in FIG. 1 a swivel bracket 1 is arranged at an angle of approximately 90° to a holding bracket 2 and in FIG. 1b the two brackets 1 and 2 form an angle of approximately 180° to each other.

The two brackets have a row of bores B over their longitudinal extension, into which screws or rivets are formed for fixing to a piece of furniture (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows a view of the swivel bracket 1, which has a bore 1.1 in an approximately circularly expanded end area 1.2, for rotatably receiving a hinge pin or hinge rivet 3, which is represented in FIG. 4 in a lateral view.

After the mounting, the hinge rivet 3 can be fixed at the right-hand end by deformation at the hinge fitting, so that also at the right-hand end there results an enlarged diameter, by means of which the hinge rivet 3 is held rotatably in the hinge fitting.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the holding bracket 2, which has a large throughhole 2.1 in circular shape, in an approximately circularly expanded end portion 2.3. On the outer circumference of the circularly expanded end portion 2.3, there is provided a recess 2.2 which extends in this embodiment over approximately 90° over the circumference and predetermines the swivel area of the hinge fitting.

A protrusion 1 b, which is provided at the swivel bracket 1, engages this recess 2.2.

In the embodiment shown, the protrusion 1 b is formed at the end of a spacer plate 1 a (FIG. 4) which is fixedly joined to the swivel bracket 1, as FIG. 1 shows. The spacer plate 1 a is provided with the same bores B as the longitudinal portion of the swivel bracket 1. However, it is also possible to provide on the swivel bracket 1 itself a corresponding protrusion 1 b for the engagement with the recess 2.2.

The represented connection geometry of approximately 90° can be shaped completely freely by means of lengthening or shortening the extension of the recess 2.2 on the circumference of the holding bracket 2. The recess 2.2 can also be omitted when the swivel area is provided over 360°, as is illustrated by means of FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 6 shows a clamping disc 4 with a middle bore 4.1 for rotatably receiving the hinge pin 3. On the outer circumference in the embodiment shown, five approximately wedge-shaped recesses 4.2 are formed at regular angle intervals, between which in each case a tooth-shaped radial protrusion 4.3 remains, the outer edge of which forms a part of the circular circumference of the clamping disc 4. This clamping disc 4 is inserted in the recess 2.1 of the holding bracket 2, wherein the outer edges of the tooth-shaped protrusions 4.3 slidingly abut at the inner circumference of the circular recess 2.1, as FIG. 1 shows.

A cylindrical clamping pin 5 is in each case inserted in the recesses 4.2 of the clamping disc 4, as FIG. 1 shows. These clamping pins 5 can have a longitudinal dimension corresponding the thickness dimension of the clamping disc 4, which approximately corresponds to the thickness dimension of the holding bracket 2, as FIG. 7 shows.

The recesses 4.2 on the circumference of the clamping disc 4 have at an end a curve corresponding to the radius of the clamping pins 5, wherein this recessed end area is designed such that in the representation of FIG. 1 the clamping pins 5 abut loosely on the inner circumference of the circular recess 2.1 of the holding bracket 2.

When the swivel bracket 1 is swiveled out of the position in FIG. 1b to the left relative to the holding bracket 2, this swivel movement can be easily carried out because the clamping pins 5 are moved, by means of friction with the inner circumference of the circular recess 2.1, into the deeper end of the recess 4.2 on the circumference of the clamping disc 4, and do not exert any clamping effect.

If, in contrast, the swivel bracket 1 is to be swiveled out of the position in FIG. 1a relative to the holding bracket 2, the clamping pins 5 are pressed, by means of friction with the inner circumference of the circular recess 2.1, against the inclined area and wedge area of the recess 4.2, so that a swivel movement is blocked.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section through a hinge fitting in the position of FIG. 1b . In FIGS. 1a and 1b , the hinge fitting is represented without the cover bracket 1′ represented in FIG. 7, so that the clamping portion is visible with the clamping disc 4 and clamping pins 5. In FIG. 1, the clamping portion is covered on the lower side by the disc-shaped end area 1.2 of the swivel bracket 1 represented in FIG. 2. On the upper side in FIG. 1, a cover bracket 1′ corresponding to FIG. 2 is mounted on the spacer bracket 1 a, so that the hinge fitting of FIG. 1 is also covered on the upper side by the disc-shaped end area 1.2 of the otherwise identical swivel bracket V.

In the embodiment shown, the clamping disc 4 has a thickness dimension of, for example, 5 mm, while the spacer plate 1 a has a thickness dimension of, for example, 6 mm. On both sides of the clamping portion 4, 5, between swivel bracket 1 and clamping portion and between clamping portion and swivel bracket 1′ in each case a sliding disc, for example a POM-disc 7 having a thickness of 0.5 mm is arranged, the diameter of which corresponds to the outer diameter of the clamping disc 4.

The cylindrical clamping pins 5 have a length of 5 mm in this embodiment.

This construction is compressed together on both sides in axial direction by means of at least two plate springs 6, which are arranged on the outer sides of the swivel bracket 1 and of the cover bracket 1′ and held by a step at the hinge pin or hinge rivet 3 and a corresponding diameter enlargement of the hinge rivet 3 on the left-hand side in FIG. 7, such that the plate springs 6 press the hinge fitting together.

According to the design of the spring force, also more than two plate springs 6 can be provided.

The swivel bracket 1 and the cover bracket 1′ can each have a thickness dimension of 2 mm in this embodiment, so that the swivel bracket 1 altogether has a thickness dimension of 10 mm.

Other dimensions can also be provided.

When the hinge fitting is to be swiveled out of the position in FIG. 1b into the position according to FIG. 1a , the swivel bracket 1 can be swiveled slightly in anti-clockwise direction around the hinge pin 3, because only the pressing force of the plate springs 6 on the disc-shaped end area 1.2 of the swivel bracket 1 must be overcome and the clamping pins 5 do not provide any resistance to the swivel movement. Hereby, when the swivel bracket 1 is to be positioned in an interim position, the swivel bracket 1 is held by the plate springs 6 in their swivel position relative to the holding bracket 2.

On the other hand, when the swivel bracket 1 is to be swiveled back out of the position in FIG. 1a , or out of an interim position, into the position of FIG. 1b , a relative movement between clamping disc 4 and holding bracket 2 is blocked by means of the clamping pins 5, so that the piece of furniture concerned, for example an armrest, can be loaded in this position in a usual manner of use, without the armrest becoming displaced.

When the swivel bracket 1 is to be swiveled back in the direction of the position in FIG. 1b , the pressing force of the plate springs 6 at the swivel bracket 1 and the blocking of the clamping pins 5 at the clamping disc 4 must be overcome. This is possible through increased pressure against the armrest or against the swivel bracket 1, without the clamping pins 5 being released from their clamping position relative to the clamping disc 4, because the swivel bracket 1 is swivelable over the sliding discs 7 relative to the blocked clamping portion 4, 5.

In other words, when swiveling the swivel bracket 1, 1′ back out of the position in FIG. 1a , in addition to the pressing force of the plate springs 6 on the outer sides of the swivel bracket 1, 1′ also the pressing force at the sliding discs 7 is overcome, which does not occur when swiveling in anti-clockwise direction in FIG. 1 because the clamping pins 5 do not have any clamping effect and the clamping portion 4, 5 is freely moveable and not blocked.

In the construction described, no actuating mechanism is required in order to move the hinge fitting back into the initial position, so that also in the case of overload at the swivel bracket 1 no damage can occur.

Various modifications of the structure are possible. For example, the clamping function between clamping disc 4 and inner circumference of the recess 2.1 at the holding bracket 2 can also be formed by other clamping elements than cylindrical clamping pins 5.

The longitudinal swivel bracket 1 represented in the Figures and the likewise longitudinal holding bracket 2 are preferably provided for furniture elements, for example a swivelable armrest at furniture for sitting or lying. According to the application of the hinge fitting, the swivel bracket can have a different shape than the holding bracket and both the swivel bracket and the holding bracket can have for example a plate shape, as FIG. 8 shows.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the hinge fitting in the form of a cover hinge, wherein the swivel bracket 1 is formed essentially as a disc element with the middle bore 1.1, at which element a short, plate-shaped radial boss 1.3 is formed on, on which in the embodiment shown two bores B are provided for fixing at another component part. In the same way, the holding bracket 2 is formed as a ring element 2.3 on which a radial plate-shaped boss 2.4 is formed on. In the circular recess 2.1 of the holding element 2, the clamping disc with clamping elements is not represented for reasons of clarity. Likewise, the hinge pin itself, which is inserted into the bores 1.1 and 8.1, is not shown.

The hinge fitting in the form of a cover hinge according to FIGS. 8 and 9 has a swivel element 1 only on a side of the holding element 2, as the front view in FIG. 9 shows. On the opposite side, a cover disc 8 with a middle bore 8.1 for the throughpassage of the hinge pin 3 is mounted, which only serves to cover the clamping area of the clamping disc with the clamping elements in the recess 2.1. So, on the right-hand side of the front view in FIG. 9, it is not required to impinge the cover disc 8 with a spring, because the swivel element 1 is swiveled relative to the holding element 2 only on the opposite side. Therefore, a spring element for acting on the swivel element 1 in axial direction of the hinge pin, is only to be provided on the left-hand side of the front view in FIG. 9.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9, a swivel area over 360° is provided, for which reason no recess corresponding to the recess 2.2 in FIG. 3 is provided on the circumference of the holding element in the area of the circular recess 2.1, and no protrusion engaging in such a recess is provided at the swivel element 1.

Such a cover hinge is easy-running when raising the cover, because the clamping elements do not block the clamping disc, and stiffly-running in the direction of the downwards- or closing movement, because hereby the swivel element 1 must additionally overcome the sliding friction in relation to the blocked clamping disc 4.

The hinge fitting according to FIGS. 8 and 9 has a compact construction, wherein the diameter D represented in FIG. 8 can be designed relatively small also in agreement with the spring force used, with which the swivel element 1 is pressed in axial direction against the holding element 2.

A further possibility for use is the swivelable linking of a head- or neck-support, whether at a piece of furniture or at the headrest of an automobile.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the fitting for a swivelable neck support, wherein, at the holding element 2 in radial direction to the swivel axis, a long round rod 9 with a threaded portion 9.1 at the end is screwed into a corresponding threaded bore at the holding element 2. This round rod 9 is fixed, for example, in the structure of the backrest of an automobile. At 10, a pin is provided at the holding element 2 in the area of the circumference around the circular recess 2.1, and this pin engages at the swivel element 1 in a recess 11 extending over the circumference, in order to delimit the swivel area of the swivel element 1 of this embodiment to 40°.

The swivel element 1 in this embodiment is formed as a longitudinal angled element which is provided at an end with the bore for receiving the hinge pin 3. When used as a swivelable neck support, two of the fittings provided in FIG. 10 are fixed at a distance from each other at the backrest of a seat, wherein the neck support itself abuts at a leg lying vertically to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 10, of the two angle-shaped swivel elements 1.

In the left-hand position in FIG. 10, the swivel element 1 lies in the same radial direction as the holding element 2, wherein the clamping disc 4 with the clamping elements 5 is represented. In this embodiment, rubber balls 5a are inserted as pressure spring elements between clamping element 5 and clamping disc 4 in order to press the clamping elements 5 at the clamping disc 4 into the clamping position.

FIG. 11 shows a modified construction of the holding element 2 with an angled anchoring rod 9 a in a schematic view.

The expressions swivel bracket and holding bracket, used in the description, relate to the shape represented in the FIGS. 1 to 7. Otherwise, these two brackets can be designated as swivel element and holding element which can have different shapes and are provided, for example, with two bores for fixing to another component part, as FIGS. 8 and 9 show.

The clamping portion 4, 5 is covered on both sides in the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 7 by the swivel element 1 and 1′, while in the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9 the clamping portion is covered only on a side of the swivel element and on the opposite side by a cover disc which has no further function.

The clamping disc 4 with the clamping elements 5 is formed in the embodiment according to the invention such that a continuous and noiseless displacement of the swivel element relative to the holding element is possible in the whole swivel area. 

1. Hinge fitting for swivelable elements like for example arm rests, head portions of furniture for sitting or lying, and the like, comprising a swivel element which has a bore for receiving a hinge pin, and a holding element with a circular recess, in which a clamping disc on the hinge pin is rotatably arranged, wherein the clamping disc allows a rotational movement in a rotation direction relative to the holding element and blocks a rotational movement in the opposite direction, and wherein on the side of the swivel element there is provided at least a spring element, which presses the swivel element in axial direction of the hinge pin against the clamping disc.
 2. Hinge fitting according to claim 1, wherein a sliding disc is arranged between clamping disc and swivel element.
 3. Hinge fitting according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is formed as a plate spring.
 4. Hinge fitting according to one of claim 1, wherein the hinge pin has at both ends a diameter enlargement for holding and supporting the spring element.
 5. Hinge fitting according to claim 2, wherein clamping elements are formed in the recesses of the clamping disc as cylindrical clamping pins.
 6. Hinge fitting according to claim 5, wherein on the outer circumference of the holding element along the circumference there is formed a recess predetermining the swivel area, into which recess a protrusion engages at the swivel element or a protrusion is formed at the holding element which engages a corresponding recess at the swivel element.
 7. Hinge fitting according to claim 6, wherein the protrusion is formed at a spacer plate which is arranged between two swivel elements.
 8. Hinge fitting according to claim 1, wherein on a side of the holding element a covering disc is provided for covering a clamping portion and the swivel element is arranged on the opposite side of the holding element.
 9. Hinge fitting according to claim 8, wherein the clamping disc slidingly abuts with its outer circumference at the inner circumference of the recess of the holding element.
 10. Hinge fitting according to claim 9, wherein on the outer circumference of the clamping disc wedge-shaped recesses are arranged, in which in each case a clamping element is arranged, which can engage with the inner circumference of the recess for blocking the clamping disc relative to the holding element.
 11. Hinge fitting according to claim 10, wherein the clamping elements are acted upon in blocking direction by means of a spring element.
 12. Hinge fitting according to claim 1, wherein the holding element is provided with a fixing means for a further component part.
 13. Hinge fitting according to claim 1, wherein the swivel element for fixing a component part to be swiveled is formed in a different way than the holding element. 